Offline Equipment Service via QR Code Unlock Workflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Equipment without network connectivity pose challenges for data collection and enforcement of activities such as cyber security compliance, as existing remote service centers rely on internet connectivity to manage and maintain these systems.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a code generator to produce barcodes or QR codes containing equipment information and triggering events, which are displayed and require operator input to resume operations, allowing data collection and service center updates via user devices connected to the service center.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If equipment is connected to the service center via network for remote service management, then data collection and service enforcement are effective, but equipment without network connectivity cannot be managed
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile device acts as an intermediary between offline equipment and the service center. The mobile device captures images of codes displayed on equipment, transmits this data through the network to the service center, and receives commands to relay back to the equipment, enabling service management without direct equipment-network connectivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional network-based electronic communication system with an optical-mechanical system using displayed codes and mobile device image capture. This substitution allows data transmission from offline equipment to the service center through visual code recognition instead of direct network connection
2Productivity
If equipment operation continues without interruption, then productivity is maintained, but service activities cannot be enforced
Solution Approach 1:
Equipment operation is periodically interrupted to display codes at specific service intervals. These periodic stoppages enable service enforcement activities such as maintenance checks, security updates, or compliance verification while minimizing overall operational disruption through structured, time-based interruptions
3Reliability
If equipment halts operation to display code for service management, then service activities can be enforced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Equipment operation is halted only partially and temporarily just long enough to display the service code, rather than stopping for extended service procedures. This partial interruption minimizes productivity loss while still enabling service enforcement through the code transmission process
Data Source
AI summary
A piece of equipment that needs services may not have connectivity to a network. In an example method, an event triggers the piece of equipment to generate a barcode or QR code. The event may be installation of equipment, preventive maintenance, update of software, periodic calibration, abnormal operation, change of location, etc. The barcode or QR code contains information of the piece of equipment and the triggering event. The piece of equipment halts upon display of the barcode or QR code. An application installed in a user device scans the barcode or QR code and sends a message to a remote service center. The service center analyzes the message and updates a service database. The service center returns a key in a message back to the user device. When the key is input into the piece of equipment, the operation of the piece of equipment is resumed.